Quick change hinge assembly

ABSTRACT

A quick change hinge assembly for pivotally coupling members. A pair of hinge blocks mounted to a fixture have laterally extending pivot pins. A first member having laterally extending sockets with entry slots is pivotally mounted to a pair of the inwardly extending pins mounted to the hinge blocks. A second member is pivotally mounted to the outwardly extending pivot pins mounted to the hinge blocks. Another embodiment has horizontally spaced hinged blocks mounted to a fixture with the hinge blocks having laterally extending sockets. A first member has outwardly extending pivot pins received in the sockets whereas a second member has inwardly extending pivot pins received in the sockets. A third embodiment has a pair of hinge blocks with laterally extending sockets and entry slots pivotally receiving a pair of pivot pins mounted each at both ends to a first member. Additional pins are mounted to the first member and extend outwardly into laterally extending sockets and entry slots of a second member. The pivot pins of the three embodiments are crescent shaped in traverse cross section and have an alternate flat sided shape.

United States Patent [191 Waldon I QUICK CHANGE HINGE ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Vernon L. Waldon, Crawfordsville,

[73] Assignee: Ingress Manufacturing Co., Inc.,

Crawfordsville, 1nd.

221 Filed: Mar.12,1971

211 App]. No.: 123,741

Primary ExaminerHarvey C. Homsby Assistant ExaminerDonald B. Massenberg Attorney, Agent, or Firmwoodard, Weikart, Emhardt &Naughton w [111 3,802,000 [451 Apr. 9, 1974 57 ABSTRACT A quick change hinge assembly for pivotally coupling members. A pair of hinge blocks mounted to a fixture have laterally extending pivot pins. A first member having laterally extending sockets with entry slots is pivotally mounted to a pair of the inwardly extending pins mounted to the hinge blocks. A second member is pivotally mounted to the outwardly extending pivot pins mounted to the hinge blocks. Another embodiment has horizontally spaced hinged blocks mounted to a fixture with the hinge blocks having laterally extending sockets. A first member has outwardly extending pivot pins received in the sockets whereas a sec- 0nd member has inwardly extending pivot pins received in the sockets. A third embodiment has a pair of hinge blocks with laterally extending sockets and entry slots pivotally receiving a pair oflpivot pins mounted each at both ends to a first member. Additional .pins are mounted to the first member. andextend outwardly into laterally extending sockets and entry slots of a second member. The pivot pins of the three embodiments are crescent shaped in traverse cross section and have an alternate flat sided shape.

11 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures Ml-fNTEl] APR 9 I974 SHEET 1 0F 5 INVENTOR VERNON L. WALDON ATTORNEYS wwmmw Mam 5 7W 0005mm 9 m4 3.002.000

SHEEI 2 1F 5 Fig. 9

INVENTOR VERNON L. WALDON ATTORNEYS (um M/mz, ma

PATENTEDAPR 9 074 3802.000

SHEEI t 0? 5 i, I46 1432 I43 INVENTOR VERNON L. WALDON ATTORNEYS wmewummmwww PATENTEDMR 9 1974 sum s or s Fig. 23

Fig. 22

INVENTOR VERNON L. WALDON ATTORNEYS (umdmwzgmammawm QUICK CHANGE HINGE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is in the field of hinges.

2. Description of the Prior Art A number of hinges have been devised for pivotally coupling a plurality of members. A representative sample of the prior art includes the following disclosures:

3,557,393 issued to Waldon 1,496,466 issued to Jackson 2,240,220 issued to Leslie 2,333,732 issued to Morris 2,500,594 issued to Young 3,038,173 issued to Turek et al. 3,063,063 issued to Brooks U.S. Pat. No. 3,261,029 issued to Beneke, .Ir.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,471,874 issued to Dixon British Pat. No. 922,795 issued to Ideal-Standar Limited The quick change hinge assembly disclosed herein allows for quicker and easier coupling of members than the hinge assemblies disclosed in the aforementioned Letters Patent. My hinge assembly has crescent shaped pivot pins which will either snap'into or outof the entry slots and sockets when placed under stress in lieu of breaking the pin receivers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention comprises mounting bracket means securable to a fixture; first and second pins mounted to said means and having rounded bearing surfaces; and, a first member removably and pivotally mounted to said pins about an axis, said first member having a first pair of sockets with said pins projecting therein, said sockets having side walls contacting said bearing surfaces, said sockets having pin entry slots each opening through said side walls.

No. No. No. No. No.

Fat.

Pat. Pat. Pat. Pat. Pat. Pat.

U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S. U.S.

A second embodiment of the present invention com- I prises a pair of horizontally spaced upstanding mounting bosses, each having laterally extending first sockets with entry slots having widths; a first member with a pair of recesses, each receiving one of said bosses; and, a pair of inner pins each extending across one of said recesses and through one of said sockets with each pin having ends fixedly connected to said member.

A third embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of horizontally spaced upstanding mount- BRIEF DESCRIPTION'OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top view of the toilet members embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an end view looking in the direction of arrow 3 of FIG. 2 illustrating details of the hinge construction. 1

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along a line and viewed in the direction of arrows 44 of FIG. 3.

' FIG. Sis a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken of arrows 55 7 along a line and viewed in the direction of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along a line and viewed in the direction of arrows 6-6 I FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectionalview' taken along a line and viewed in the direction of arrows 7'7 of'FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is the sameview as FIG. 6 only showing an al-.

ternate pin. I

FIG. 9 is the same ternate pin.

FIG. 10 is the same view as FIG. 3 only showing the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentarycross sectional-view taken along a line and viewed in the direction of the arrows 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along a line and viewed in the direction of the arrows 12 12 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along a line and viewed in the direction of arrows 13-13 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is the same view as FIG. 11 only showing an alternate pin.

ing bosses having laterally extending sockets, each with an entry slot having width; a-first member with an extension positioned between said bosses; a second member with a pair of flanges spaced-apart outwardly of said bosses; outwardly extending pins cantileveredly mounted to said extension and extending only partially through said sockets; and, inwardly extending pins cantileveredly mounted to said flanges and extending only partially through said sockets.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a quick change hinge assembly which allows relatively quick and easy coupling of members.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hinge assembly having crescent shaped pivot pins which are relatively stronger than the prior art pivot pins and which will either snap into or entirely out of slots rather than breaking the pin receivers.

FIG. 15 is the same view as FIG. 13only showing as alternate pin.

FIG. 16 is the same view as FIG. 13 only showing a third embodiment incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along a line and viewed in the direction of arrows 17--l7 of FIG. 16. j

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along a line' and viewed in the direction of arrows 18- 18 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along a line and viewed in the direction of arrows 19-19 of FIG. 16. I

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along a line and viewed in the direction of arrows 20-20 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the removal of a crescent shaped pin from a socket.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 18 only showing the double sided pin.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view similarto FIG. 20 only showing the double sided pin.

view as FIG. 7 only showing an al- DESCRlPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a toilet seat ring 31 and a toilet seat lid 30 pivotally mounted atop flange 32 of a conventional toilet. A quick change hinge assembly allows for the quick and easy removal of the ring and lid from flange 32. FIG. 3 is an end view looking in the direction of arrow 3 of FIG. 2 showing the first embodiment of the quick change hinge assembly. A pair of bosses or hinge blocks 34 and 35 are horizontally spaced apart and integrally mounted to a horizontal plate 33 secured to the toilet bowl flange. A variety of means may be utilized to secure plate 33 to the flange of the toilet. For example, a plurality of studs 50 (FIG. 2) may be connected to plate 33 so as to extend freely through flange 32 being threadedly received by hexagonally shaped nuts thereby securing the plate to the toilet bowl flange. The heads of studs 50 may be concealed within plate 33 so as to not be visible. A pair of pins 36 and 37 are cantileveredly mounted to hinge block 34 and a second set of pins 38 and 39 are cantileveredly mounted to block 35. The pins extend into sockets formed in ring 31 and lid 30.

Ring 31 extends between hinge blocks 34 and 35 and has a first recess 47 and a second recess 48 for respectively receiving blocks 34 and 35. FIG. 4 is a crosssectional view taken along a line and viewed in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3 illustrating recess 47. The recess is defined by side wall 49 and lip 67. Socket 44 is located on wall 49 having a side wall 52 with a substantially cylindrical bearing surface. A similar socket is provided in ring 31 for receiving pin 38 of block 35. An entry slot 54 opens into socket 44 through side wall 52 with the width denoted by item 57 being smallest at the opening into socket 44. A similar entry slot is shown in FIG. 3 opening into socket 45 for receiving pin 38. Lip 67 and lip 68 extend upwardly from ring 31 around blocks 34 and 35 so as to conceal the blocks when viewed looking downwardly from the front of the toilet ring and lid.

Toilet lid 30 has a pair of ears 40 and 41 positioned outwardly and adjacent respectively blocks 34 and 35. Bars 40 and 41 have sockets 42 and 43 located thereon for receiving pins 36 and 39. FIG. is a cross-sectional view of lid 30 showing car 40 having a side wall 56 having socket 42 located thereon; An entry slot 55, identical to the entry slot previously described, opens into socket 42 with the width of the opening being denoted by item 58 Socket '42 has a side wall 53 of a general cylindrical configuration providing a bearing surface for contacting pin 36. Bar 41 has a similar socket 43 and entry slot to that just described 'for car 40.

pivotal mounting of lid 30 and ring 31. One such pin is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line and viewed in the direction of arrows 66 showing pin 37 mounted to side 74 of block 34. FIG. 7 is a similar view only showing pin 36 mounted to side 75 of block 34. Pin 37 will now be described it being understood that a similar description applies to pins 36, 38 and 39. Pin 37 has a concave surface 65 and a convex surface 66. Convex surface 66 forms a rounded bearing surface 51 for contacting wall 52 of socket 44. The thickness 59 of pin 37 across convex surface 66 is greater than the width 57 of entry slot 54 at the location where the slot opens into socket 44. Thus, lid 30 and ring 31 are prevented from disengaging the pins until the lid and ring are oriented in such a manner so as to allow removal.

FIG. 21 illustrates the removal of the crescent shaped pin from the sockets of FIG. 3 or from the mounting blocks to be described later in this specification. The pin in the fully seated position 76 is completely contained within the socket. The pin and the socket are then moved apart so as to allow edge 79 to follow the concave surface 80 of the pin. The pin and socket are then moved further apart until the pin is completely disengaged from the socket as shown in position 77. Of course, the pin and socket must first be rotated so as to allow edge 79 to follow the concave surface of the pin. This rotational motion between the pin and socket is caused by rotating the lid 30 and/or ring 31. Pins 36, 37, 38 and 39 are aligned so as to define axis 46 about which lid 30 and ring 31 are pivotable. Lid 30 is pivoted in the direction of arrow 71 to the dashed line position 72 (FIG. 5) in order to remove the lid from pins 36 and 39.- The lid is then pulled upwardly so as to disengage the pin from the socket of ears and 41 in the manner upwardly in order to disengage pins 37 and 38 from the A variety of different shaped pins may be secured to 5 blocks 34 and 35 for providing a bearing surface for the sockets of ring 31. Ring 31 is removed in a manner identical to the removal of lid 30. It is understood that a single pin extending through the sides of block 34 may be utilized in lieu ofa pair of pins 36 and 37. Likewise, it is understood that a single pin projecting through both sides of block 35 would perform the same functions as the pair of pins 38 and 39. It is to be noted that the entry slots of sockets 42, 43, 44 and .45 are aligned and opened in the same direction when lid 30 is positioned atop ring 31 as shown in FIG. 3. The concave surfaces of all of the pins open in the same direction. The substantially cylindrical surfaces for the pins and sockets allow for pivoting of lid 30 and ring 31 about axis 46. In addition, the entry slots of sockets 42, 43, 44 and 45 interrupt the generally cylindrical surfaces of the sockets extending radially outward from the cylindricalsurfaces. Likewise, the cylindrical surfaces of the pins 36, 37, 38 and 39 are internupted by the concave surface 65 which may also be considered an. elongated groove having a length coextensive with the portion of the pins received in the entry slots. The chords 69 (FIG. 5) which extend across each sockets cylindrical surface at the opening of the entryslot and the chord (FIG. 7) of the cylindrical surface of each pin which extends across the concave surface are both such as to accommodate removal of the pins from the sockets in a direction transverse to the direction of axis 46 in only two relative rotational positionsof lid30 and ring 31. That is, lid 30 and ring 31 may be disengaged from the pins only when the lid and ring are in a substantially vertical position. Thus, the lid and ring may be pivoted upward to a vertical position with the ring being removed first or with the lid and ring being removed simultaneously. The toilet bowl shown in FIG. 2 in dashed lines prevents and acts as a stopping means to prevent the lid and ring from being pivoted downward to a substantially vertical position for removal of the pins from the sockets. Thus, the toilet bowl is a stopping means which limits relative rotation between the lid and ring and precludes the attainment of the downward vertical position.

An alternate pin is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and may be utilized in lieu of the crescent shaped pins of FIGS. 6 and 7. The pin shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 has a pair of parallel spaced apart flat sides 61 and 62 which are spaced apart a distance not greater than widths 57 or 58. The flat sides are joined on both ends by a pair of rounded oppositely facing sides 63 and 64 which are spaced apart a distance 60 greater than widths 58 or 59. The lid and ring must be pivoted to the upward vertical position for allowing the flat sided pins to be removed from the sockets.

The second embodiment of the quick change hinge assembly is illustrated in FIG. 10 which is similar to the view of FIG. 3. The distinguishing feature between FIGS. 3 and 10 is thatthe pins are mounted to lid 30 and ring 31 in FIG. 10 in lieu of to the hinge blocks 34 and 35 as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the sockets are provided in the hinge blocks to receive the pins. A pair of horizontally spaced upstanding mounting bosses or hinge blocks 100 and 101 are identical each having laterally extending sockets with entry slots opening into the sockets. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 viewed in the direction of arrows 12-12 illustrating mounting block 100. Block 100 will now be described it being understood that a similar description applies to block 101. Block 100 has 'a socket 106 and entry slot 107 similar to that previously described for the socket and entry slot of ears 40 and 41, the exception being that the entry slot opens vertically upward in lieu of the horizontal opening shown in FIG. 3. The socket and entry slot extend completely through mounting block 100 and receive pin 102 cantileveredly mounted to lid and pin 103 cantileveredly mounted to seat ring 31. Pin 102 is mounted to car of lid 30 whereas pin 105 is mounted to ear 4] oflid 30. Ring 31 extends between blocks 100 and 101 in a manner similar to blocks 34 and 35. Likewise, ears 40 and 41 are spaced apart outwardly and adjacent blocks 100 and 101. Ring 31 has a pair of lips 67 and 68 previously described and illustrated in FIG. 3 which extend upward partially around blocks 100 and 101. Lips 67 and 68 thereby form recesses 47 and 48 and extension 108 which is positioned between the hinge blocks. Pins 102 through 105 extend only partially through the sockets thereby allowing independent rotation of ring 31 with respect to lid 30 and vice versa. As previously described, lips 67 and 68 are positioned over and conceal the hinge blocks.

Pins 102 through 105 are identical with respect to pins 36 through 39 with' the exception that the concave surfaces 109 (FIG.'13) open vertically and upwardly in lieu of horizontally when the lid and ring are positioned horizontally. The concave surfaces 109 of the crescent shaped pins are aligned whenever the lid 30 abuts ring 31. The lid and ring must be pivoted to the upward vertical position since the entry slots open upwardly. As previously described for pins 36 through 39, pins 102 through have substantially cylindrical surfaces which contact the cylindrical surfaces of the sockets with the concave surfaces of the pins extending laterally along the lengths of the pins. The axis of rotation 46 of lid 30 and ring 31 extends through the centers of pins 102 through 105.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an alternate double sided pin identical to the pins previously shown and described in FIGS. 8 and 9 with the exception that the flat sides of pins 110 and 111 are horizontal when the lid and ring are horizontal. Pins 110 and 111 would replace pins 102 and 103 with pins identical to pins 110 and 111 also replacing pins 104 and 105. Pin 110 has a pair of flat sides spaced apart a distance not greater than the width of an entry slot opening into a socket whereas the rounded sides of pin 110 are spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the slot. opening into a socket. Likewise, the pins and entry slots of the seconde'mbodiment are arranged so as to allow removal of the,

pins from the sockets only'when the lid and ring are in a substantially vertical position.

I The third embodiment of the quick change hinge assembly is illustrated in FIG. 16 and is substantially different from the first two embodiments of the hinge assembly. In the third embodiment, the hinge blocks and 141 have sockets and entry slots similar to the second embodiment and receive pins'having both ends attached to seat ring146. In addition, the ring has a pair of cantileveredly mounted outwardly extending pins which are received in sockets provided in ears 40 and 41 of lid 30. The horizontally spaced upstanding blocks 140 and 141 are integrally mounted and interconnected to plate 33. Each block has a laterally extending socket with an entry slot identical to that described for blocks 100 and 101. Thus, this specification will not elaborate further on the sockets and entry slots of blocks 140 and 141. A pair of inner pins 142 and 143 are secured to ring 146 extending completely through the sockets of blocks 140 and 141 and across recesses 144 and 145. Ring 146 has a pair of recesses 144 and which respectively receive blocks 140 and 141. The pair of inner pins extend completely across these recesses and are crescent shaped or have flat sides as previously described for the first two embodiments.

Each end of inner pin 142 and each end of inner pin 143 are fixedly connected to ring 146.

Recesses 144 and 145 form an extension 147 which extends between blocks 140 and 141 and a pair of flanges 148 and 149 which are positioned outwardly adjacent blocks 140 and 141. Blocks140 and 141 are concealingly received by extension 147 whereas the extension 147 is concealingly received between' ears 40 and 41 and lid 30 when viewed above and in front of the lid.

A pair of outer pins 150 and 151 are cantileveredly mounted to flanges 148 and 149 projecting outwardly into the laterally extending sockets formed in ears 40 and 41. Thus, lid 30 is pivotally mounted on'pins 150 and 151 whereas ring 146 is pivotally mounted by pins 142 and 143 on blocks 141 and 140. The size and configuration of pins 142, 143, 150 and 151 isidentical to the pins previously described for the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 aswell as for the embodiment shown in FIG. 10. The concave surface 152 (FIG. 17) of pins 150 and 151 opens horizontally to the rear of the toilet when the lid and ring are horizontally positioned and are symmetrical about horizontal axis 154. The concave surface 153 of pins 142 and 143 open upwardly when ring 146 is positioned horizontally atop the toilet bowl. Concave surfaces 153 are symmetrical about vertical axis 155 which is angularly positioned 90 with respect to horizontal axis 154. Thus, the concave surfaces of pins 142 and 143 are angularly positioned 90 with respect to the concave surfaces 152 of pins 151 and 150. It is also to be noted that the cylindrical surfaces of all sockets and crescent shaped pins subtend an angle greater than 180.

The third embodiment also includes a quick change hinge assembly utilizing flat sided pins in lieu of the crescent shaped pins 142, 143, 150 and 151'. These flat sided pins are shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 and are identical to the flat sided pins previously described and illustrated in the first and second embodiments. Two outer flat sided pins 157 (FIG. 22) are respectively cantileveredly mounted to flanges 148 and 149 (FIG. 16) projecting into the laterally extending sockets formed in ears 40 and 41. The flat sides of pins 157 are positioned vertically when ring 146 is in a horizontal position. Two inner flat sided pins 156 (FIG. 23) are mounted to ring 146 extending across recesses 144 and 145 and through the laterally extending sockets of blocks 140 and 141. The flat sides of pins 156 are horizontally positioned when ring 146 is in a horizontal position. Thus, to remove lid 30, the lid must be rotated to a vertical position with ring 146 remaining in a horizontal position. To remove ring 146 from'blocks 140 and 141, the ring must be pivoted to a vertical position. The parallel flat sides of pins 156 and 157 are spaced apart a distance not greater than the width of the entrance slots opening into the sockets. In addition, the pair of oppositely facing rounded sides of the fiat sided pins are spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the entrance slot opening into the sockets.

It will be evident from the above description that the present invention provides a quick change hinge assembly which allows relatively easy and quick coupling of members. It will be further evident that this quick change hinge assembly has crescent shaped pivot pins which are relatively stronger than the prior art pivot pins and which will either snap into or entirely out of a slot rather than damage the mounting block. In addi- The invention claimed is:

l. A quick change hinge assembly comprising:

mounting bracket means securable to a fixture, said bracket means having a first and second boss, each with opposite sides;

first and second circular pins mounted to said bracket means and defining a single axis, said pins having rounded bearingsurfaces, said first and second pins being respectively mounted to and extending through said sides of said first boss and said sides of said second boss;

a first member removably and pivotally mounted to said pins about said axis, said first member having a first pair of sockets positioned outwardly of said first and second bosses with said pins projecting therein, said sockets having side walls contacting said bearing surfaces, said sockets having pin entry slots each opening through said side walls, said member having first and second recesses receiving said first and second bosses with said first and second recesses having vertical walls with said sockets located thereon, said first mcmberhaving an elongated planar portion extending away from said bracket means, said first member being a toilet seat lid;

a second member extending between said bosses and having walls with a second pair of sockets positioned inwardly of said first and second bosses and receiving said pins and having pin entry slots, said second member having an elongated planar portion extending away from said bracket means, said second member being a toilet seat ring; and wherein:

said pins each have a thickness greater than the width of each of the slots where said slots open into said sockets;

said pin entry slots of said first member open in the same direction and are aligned with said pin entry slots of said second member Whenever said elongated portion of said first member and said elongated portion of said second member extend outwardly from said bracket means in the same direction, each of said bearing surfaces are cylindrical and are interrupted each by a separate elongated transverse groove, each groove being a completely radially formed concave surface subtending a central angle of approximately with said angle being defined and included between opposite intersecting outermost tangent lines of said concave surface,providing a crescent shaped pin cross section.

2. The hinge assembly of claim 1 whereini curving without flat portions;

said second member has a pair of curved lips extending upwardly around said first and second boss; and,

said first and secondv bosses are integrally interconnected.

3. A quick change hinge assembly comprising:

a pair of horizontally spaced upstanding mounting bosses, each having laterally extending first sockets with entry slots having widths;

a first member with a pair of recesses, each receiving one of said bosses, said first member being a toilet seat ring;

a pair of inner pins each extending completely across one of said recesses and through one of said sockets with each pin having two ends with each of said two ends fixedly mounted directly to said member;

a pair of outer pins cantileveredly mounted to said member and projecting outwardly on either side of said member; and,

a second member having laterally extending second sockets receiving and pivotally mounted on said outer pins, said second sockets having entry slots, said second member being a toiletseat lid, said outer pins and said inner pins having a single longitudinal axis, said outer pins and said inner pins having bearing surfaces, each of said bearing surfaces being cylindrical and are interrupted each by a separate elongated transverse groove, each groove being a completely radially formed concave surface subtending a central angle of approximately 90 with said angle being defined and included between opposite intersecting outermost tangent lines of said concave surface, roviding a crescent shaped pin cross section.

4. The hinge assembly of claim 3 wherein:

said first member has an extension concealingly receiving said bosses; and,

said second member has a portion concealingly re-' ceiving said extension when said second member rests atop said first member.

5. The hinge assembly of claim 4 wherein:

said concave surface of said inner pins are angularly positioned approximately 90 with respect to said concave surface of said outer pins; and,

said bosses are integrally interconnected.

6. A quick change hinge assembly comprising:

a pair of horizontally spaced upstanding mounting bosses having laterally extending sockets, each with an entry slot having width;

a first member with an extension positioned between said bosses, said first member being a toilet seat ring;

a second member with a pair of flanges spaced apart outwardly of said bosses, said second member being a toilet seat lid;

outwardly extending pins cantileveredly mounted to said extension and extending only partially through said sockets; and,

inwardly extending pins cantileveredly mounted to said flanges and extending only partially through a ket ai s! sytwatq x expe te. P a said inwardly extending pins having a single longitudinal axis with all of said pins having bearing surfaces, each of said bearing surfaces being cylindrical and being interrupted each by a separate elongated transverse groove, each groove being a completely radially-formed concave surface subtending a central angle of approximately 90 with said angle being defined and included between opposite intersecting outermost tangent lines of said concave surface, providing a crescent shaped pin cross section.

7. The hinge assembly of claim 6 wherein: 1

all of said concave surfaces are aligned whenever said I second member rests atop said first member;

said slots open upwardly; and,

said bosses are integrally interconnected.

8.'The hinge assembly of claim 7 wherein:

all of said pins have substantially cylindrical surfaces contacting the cylindrical surfaces of said sockets, said concave surfaces extending laterally with the lengths of said pins. I

9. A hinge assembly comprising:

first and second members;

first pin means fixed to said first member;

socket means in said second member-and receiving said pin means; said second member being atoilet seat'ring, said pin means and said socket means having mating substantially cylindrical surfaces for pivoting said members on each other about an axis, the cylindrical surface of said socket means being interrupted by a slot extending radially outward from said surface; and wherein:

the cylindrical surface of said pin means being interrupted by an elongated groove having a length coextensive with the portion of said pin means received in said slot, said groove being continuously saidfi r st ineinberbein g a"sosr eurasieiaatoner bowl;

the combination further comprising:

additional pin means in said post;

stop means limiting relative rotation between said members and precluding attainment of one of said two relative rotational positions;

said toilet seat lid having socket means receiving said additional pin means;

the socket means of said lid, and said additional pin means, having mating substantially cylindrical sur- Fag far pivoting said lid about said axis throtigh said post, the cylindrical surface of the socket means of said lid being interrupted by a slot extending radially outward from said surface;

the cylindrical surface of said additional pin means being interrupted by an elongated groove having a length coextensive with the portion of said additional pin means received in said slot of said lid socket means;

the chord across said cylindrical surface of said lid socket means at said slot therein, and the chord across said cylindrical surface of said additional pin means at said groove being such as to accommodate removal of said lid from said post in a direction transverse to said axis, beginning removal in only two relative rotational positions of said lid and said post;

and stop means having a fixed location with respect to said post and engageable by said lid to preclude attainment of one of said two relative rotational positions of said lid with respect to said post;

formed concave surface subtending a central angle of approximately with said angle being defined and included between opposite intersecting outermost tangent lines of said concave surface, providing a crescent shaped pin cross section.

10. A hinge assembly comprising:

first and second members;

first pin means fixed to said first member;

socket means in said second member and receiving said pin means, said pin means and said socket means having mating substantialy cylindrical surfaces for pivoting said members on each other about an axis, the cylindrical surface of said socket means being interrupted by a slot extending radially outward from said surface;

the cylindrical surface of said pin means being interrupted by an elongated groove having a length coextensive with the portion of said pin means re- 1 l ceived in said slot, said groove being continuously smooth without flat portions;

the chord of said cylindrical surface of said socket means at said slot, and the chord of said cylindrical surface of said pin means at said groove, being such as to accommodate removal of said pin means from said socket means in a direction transverse to the direction of said axis beginning in only two relative rotational positions of said members;

a toilet seat lid mounted to said first member; stop means limiting relative rotation between said members and precluding attainment of one of said two relative rotational positions;

said first member being a toilet seat ring; said second member being a post securable to a toilet bowl;

' additional pin means in said ring;

said toilet seat lid having socket means receiving said additional pin means;

the socket means of said lid and said additional pin means having mating substantially cylindrical surfaces for pivoting said lid about a second axis through said post, the cylindrical surface of the socket means of said lid being interrupted by a slot extending radially outward from said surface;

the cylindrical surface of said additional pin means being interrupted by an elongated transverse groove having a length being coextensive with the portion of said additional pin means received in said slot of said lid socket means;

the chord across said cylindrical surface of said lid socket means at said slot therein, and the chord across said cylindrical surface of said additional pin means at said groove, being such as to accommodate removal of said lid from said ring in a direction transverse to said second axis beginning in only two relative rotational positions of said lid and said ring; and,

the orientation'of said groove in said additional pin means and said slot of said lid socket means being such as to preclude attainment of one of said two relative rotational positions of said lid with respect to said post;

said additional pin means being a pair of outwardly 11. A hinge assembly comprising:

first and second members;

first pin means fixed to said first member;

socket means in said second member and receiving said pin means, said pin means and said socket means having mating substantially cylindrical surfaces for pivoting said members on each other about an axis, the cylindrical surface of said socket means being interrupted by a slot extending radially outward from said surface;

the cylindrical surface of said pin means being interrupted by an elongated transverse groove having a length coextensive with the portion of said pin means received in said slot, said groove being continuously smooth without flat portions;

the chord of said cylindrical surface of said socket means at said slot, and the chord of said cylindrical surface of said pin means at said groove, being such as to accommodate removal of said pin means from said socket means in a direction transverse to the direction of said axis beginning in only two relative rotational positions of said members;

a toilet seat lid mounted to said first member;

said first member is a toilet seat ring;

said second member is a post securable to a toilet bowl; the combination further comprising:

stop means limiting relative rotation between said members and precluding attainment of one of said two relative rotational positions;

additional pin means in said lid and received in said socket means, said additional pin means extend toward and are coaxially aligned with said pin "EQQQFKQF! t9 aid,. $m9

said additional pin means having a su5sta ntially cylindrical surface mating with the cylindrical surface of said socket means for pivoting said lid about said post, the cylindrical surface of said additional pin means being "interrupts? by an elongated transverse groove coextensivewith the portion of said additional pin means received in said slot'of said socket means:

the chord across said cylindrical surface of said socket means at said slot therein, and the chord across said cylindrical surface of said additional pin means at said groove being such as to accommodate removal of said lid from said post in a direction transverse to said axis beginning in only two relative rotational positions of said lid and said post, the position andorientation of the slot of said socket means in said post, and the groove in said additional pin means being such as to preclude attainment of one of said two relative rotation positions of said lid with respect to said post:

said first pin means being a pair of pins projecting outwardly toward and alignedwith said additional pin means which are a pair of inwardly projecting pins, each groove being a completely radially formed concave surface subtending a central angle of approximately with said angle being defined and included between opposite intersecting outermost tangent lines of said concave surface, providing a crescent shaped pin'cross section.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 802,000 Dated April q 1974 Inventor s) Vernon L Wald on It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 47, "Fig. 13" should read --Fig. 3-- Column 8, line 67, "are interrupted" should read being interrupted-- Column 9, line 1, "elongated transverse" should read -v-- transverse elongated-- Column 10, line 24-25, delete "through said post" Column 10, line 46, "and" Should read --as--, add

"axis" after "common" Signed and sealed this 5th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-F'69 FORM PO-105O (10-69) v I 1* us. oovsnunsm PRINTING OFFICE: I969 o-sss-au 

1. A quick change hinge assembly comprising: mounting bracket means securable to a fixture, said bracket means having a first and second boss, each with opposite sides; first and second circular pins mounted to said bracket means and defining a single axis, said pins having rounded bearing surfaces, said first and second pins being respectively mounted to and extending through said sides of said first boss and said sides of said second boss; a first member removably and pivotally mounted to said pins about said axis, said first member having a first pair of sockets positioned outwardly of said first and second bosses with said pins projecting therein, said sockets having side walls contacting said bearing surfaces, said sockets having pin entry slots each opening through said side walls, said member having first and second recesses receiving said first and second bosses with said first and second recesses having vertical walls with said sockets located thereon, said first member having an elongated planar portion extending away from said bracket means, said first member being a toilet seat lid; a second member extending between said bosses and having walls with a second pair of sockets positioned inwardly of said first and second bosses and receiving said pins and having pin entry slots, said second member having an elongated planar portion extending away from said bracket means, said second member being a toilet seat ring; and wherein: said pins each have a thickness greater than the width of each of the slots where said slots open into said sockets; said pin entry slots of said first member open in the same direction and are aligned with said pin entry slots of said second member whenever said elongated portion of said first member and said elongated portion of said second member extend outwardly from said bracket means in the same direction, each of said bearing surfaces are cylindrical and are interrupted each by a separate elongated transverse groove, each groove being a completely radially formed concave surface subtending a central angle of approximately 90* with said angle being defined and included between opposite intersecting outermost tangent lines of said concave surface a providing a crescent shaped pin cross section.
 2. The hinge assembly of claim 1 wherein: said concave surface is continuously smooth and curving without flat portions; said second member has a pair of curved lips extending upwardly around said first and second boss; and, said first and second bosses are integrally interconnected.
 3. A quick change hinge assembly comprising: a pair of horizontally spaced upstanding mounting bosses, each having laterally extending first sockets with entry slots having widths; a first member with a pair of recesses, each receiving one of said bosses, said first member being a toilet seat ring; a pair of inner pins each extending completely across one of said recesses and through one of said sockets with each pin having two ends with each of said two ends fixedly mounted directly to said member; a pair of outer pins cantileveredly mounted to said member and projecting outwardly on either side of said member; and, a second member having laterally extending second socketS receiving and pivotally mounted on said outer pins, said second sockets having entry slots, said second member being a toilet seat lid, said outer pins and said inner pins having a single longitudinal axis, said outer pins and said inner pins having bearing surfaces, each of said bearing surfaces being cylindrical and each by a separate elongated transverse groove, each groove being a completely radially formed concave surface subtending a central angle of approximately 90* with said angle being defined and included between opposite intersecting outermost tangent lines of said concave surface providing a crescent shaped pin cross section.
 4. The hinge assembly of claim 3 wherein: said first member has an extension concealingly receiving said bosses; and, said second member has a portion concealingly receiving said extension when said second member rests atop said first member.
 5. The hinge assembly of claim 4 wherein: said concave surface of said inner pins are angularly positioned approximately 90* with respect to said concave surface of said outer pins; and, said bosses are integrally interconnected.
 6. A quick change hinge assembly comprising: a pair of horizontally spaced upstanding mounting bosses having laterally extending sockets, each with an entry slot having width; a first member with an extension positioned between said bosses, said first member being a toilet seat ring; a second member with a pair of flanges spaced apart outwardly of said bosses, said second member being a toilet seat lid; outwardly extending pins cantileveredly mounted to said extension and extending only partially through said sockets; and, inwardly extending pins cantileveredly mounted to said flanges and extending only partially through said sockets, said outwardly extending pins and said inwardly extending pins having a single longitudinal axis with all of said pins having bearing surfaces, each of said bearing surfaces being cylindrical and being interrupted each by a separate elongated transverse groove, each groove being a completely radially formed concave surface subtending a central angle of approximately 90* with said angle being defined and included between opposite intersecting outermost tangent lines of said concave surface a providing a crescent shaped pin cross section.
 7. The hinge assembly of claim 6 wherein: all of said concave surfaces are aligned whenever said second member rests atop said first member; said slots open upwardly; and, said bosses are integrally interconnected.
 8. The hinge assembly of claim 7 wherein: all of said pins have substantially cylindrical surfaces contacting the cylindrical surfaces of said sockets, said concave surfaces extending laterally with the lengths of said pins.
 9. A hinge assembly comprising: first and second members; first pin means fixed to said first member; socket means in said second member and receiving said pin means, said second member being a toilet seat ring, said pin means and said socket means having mating substantially cylindrical surfaces for pivoting said members on each other about an axis, the cylindrical surface of said socket means being interrupted by a slot extending radially outward from said surface; and wherein: the cylindrical surface of said pin means being interrupted by an elongated groove having a length coextensive with the portion of said pin means received in said slot, said groove being continuously smooth without flat portions; the chord of said cylindrical surface of said socket means at said slot, and the chord of said cylindrical surface of said pin means at said groove, being such as to accommodate removal of said pin means from said socket means in a direction transverse to the direction of said axis beginning in only two relative rotational positions of said members; a toilet seat lid mounted to said first member; said first member being a post secuRable to a toilet bowl; the combination further comprising: additional pin means in said post; stop means limiting relative rotation between said members and precluding attainment of one of said two relative rotational positions; said toilet seat lid having socket means receiving said additional pin means; the socket means of said lid, and said additional pin means, having mating substantially cylindrical surfaces for pivoting said lid about a second axis the cylindrical surface of the socket means of said lid being interrupted by a slot extending radially outward from said surface; the cylindrical surface of said additional pin means being interrupted by an elongated groove having a length coextensive with the portion of said additional pin means received in said slot of said lid socket means; the chord across said cylindrical surface of said lid socket means at said slot therein, and the chord across said cylindrical surface of said additional pin means at said groove being such as to accommodate removal of said lid from said post in a direction transverse to said axis, beginning removal in only two relative rotational positions of said lid and said post; and stop means having a fixed location with respect to said post and engageable by said lid to preclude attainment of one of said two relative rotational positions of said lid with respect to said post; said first pin means being a pair of inwardly extending pins having a said axis and their common axis, said additional pin means being a pair of outwardly extending pins having said axis as their common axis each groove being a completely radially formed concave surface subtending a central angle of approximately 90* with said angle being defined and included between opposite intersecting outermost tangent lines of said concave surface providing a crescent shaped pin cross section.
 10. A hinge assembly comprising: first and second members; first pin means fixed to said first member; socket means in said second member and receiving said pin means, said pin means and said socket means having mating substantialy cylindrical surfaces for pivoting said members on each other about an axis, the cylindrical surface of said socket means being interrupted by a slot extending radially outward from said surface; and the cylindrical surface of said pin means being interrupted by an elongated groove having a length coextensive with the portion of said pin means received in said slot, said groove being continuously smooth without flat portions; the chord of said cylindrical surface of said socket means at said slot, and the chord of said cylindrical surface of said pin means at said groove, being such as to accommodate removal of said pin means from said socket means in a direction transverse to the direction of said axis beginning in only two relative rotational positions of said members; a toilet seat lid mounted to said first member; stop means limiting relative rotation between said members and precluding attainment of one of said two relative rotational positions; said first member being a toilet seat ring; said second member being a post securable to a toilet bowl; additional pin means in said ring; said toilet seat lid having socket means receiving said additional pin means; the socket means of said lid and said additional pin means having mating substantially cylindrical surfaces for pivoting said lid about a second axis through said post, the cylindrical surface of the socket means of said lid being interrupted by a slot extending radially outward from said surface; the cylindrical surface of said additional pin means being interrupted by an elongated transverse groove having a length being coextensive with the portion of said additional pin means received in said slot of said lid socket means; the chord across said cylindrical surface of said lid socket means at said slot therein, and the chord across said cylindrical surface of said additional pin means at said groove, being such as to accommodate removal of said lid from said ring in a direction transverse to said second axis beginning in only two relative rotational positions of said lid and said ring; and, the orientation of said groove in said additional pin means and said slot of said lid socket means being such as to preclude attainment of one of said two relative rotational positions of said lid with respect to said post; said additional pin means being a pair of outwardly extending pins having said second axis, said first pin means being a pair of pins having a longitudinal first axis aligned with said second axis, each groove being a radially formed concave surface subtending a central angle of approximately 90* with said angle being defined and included between opposite intersecting outermost tangent lines of said concave surface, providing a crescent shaped pin cross section.
 11. A hinge assembly comprising: first and second members; first pin means fixed to said first member; socket means in said second member and receiving said pin means, said pin means and said socket means having mating substantially cylindrical surfaces for pivoting said members on each other about an axis, the cylindrical surface of said socket means being interrupted by a slot extending radially outward from said surface; and the cylindrical surface of said pin means being interrupted by an elongated transverse groove having a length coextensive with the portion of said pin means received in said slot, said groove being continuously smooth without flat portions; the chord of said cylindrical surface of said socket means at said slot, and the chord of said cylindrical surface of said pin means at said groove, being such as to accommodate removal of said pin means from said socket means in a direction transverse to the direction of said axis beginning in only two relative rotational positions of said members; a toilet seat lid mounted to said first member; said first member is a toilet seat ring; said second member is a post securable to a toilet bowl; the combination further comprising: stop means limiting relative rotation between said members and precluding attainment of one of said two relative rotational positions; additional pin means in said lid and received in said socket means, said additional pin means extend toward and are coaxially aligned with said pin means fixed to said first member; said additional pin means having a substantially cylindrical surface mating with the cylindrical surface of said socket means for pivoting said lid about said post, the cylindrical surface of said additional pin means being interrupted by an elongated transverse groove coextensive with the portion of said additional pin means received in said slot of said socket means; the chord across said cylindrical surface of said socket means at said slot therein, and the chord across said cylindrical surface of said additional pin means at said groove being such as to accommodate removal of said lid from said post in a direction transverse to said axis beginning in only two relative rotational positions of said lid and said post, the position and orientation of the slot of said socket means in said post, and the groove in said additional pin means being such as to preclude attainment of one of said two relative rotation positions of said lid with respect to said post; said first pin means being a pair of pins projecting outwardly toward and aligned with said additional pin means which are a pair of inwardly projecting pins, each groove being a completely radially formed concave surface subtending a central angle of approximately 90* with said angle being defined and included between opposite intersecting outermost tangent lines of said concave surface providing a crescent shaped pin cross section. 